Cunard Line

Food

In the tradition of multiclass ocean liners, dining room assignments are made according to the accommodation category booked. You can get as much luxury as you are willing to pay for on Cunard liners, where passengers in Junior Suites are assigned to the single-seating Princess Grill; the posh Queen's Grill serves passengers booked in duplex apartments and the most lavish suites. All other passengers are assigned to one of two seatings in the dramatic, three-deck-high Britannia Restaurant.

Almost lost in the specialty restaurant hype is acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud, who designed the menus in Queen Mary 2's main restaurants. Although fare in Britannia is reasonably traditional and often outstanding, off-menu requests by Grill passengers are commonly granted—provided the galley has the ingredients. Menus also include vegetarian and low-calorie selections.

Quite possibly the world's most coveted table reservations are those in the restaurant named for Todd English, the celebrity American chef and restaurateur noted for his innovative Mediterranean cuisine and sumptuous desserts. Dinner (for a $35 per-person cover charge) was so popular that lunch was added (for $20 per person) so more passengers would have the opportunity to dine in the intimate restaurant.

The Chef's Galley is another small reservations-required restaurant, where diners look on as their food is prepared in an open galley setting; the only charge here is for wine. The King's Court buffet is transformed each evening into three no-charge casual alternative dining spots: the Carvery specializes in carved meats; La Piazza is dedicated to pasta, pizza, and Italian dishes; and Lotus offers Asian regional specialties.